2012 Titanium Front Strut Low Speed Noise (Clunk/Rattle)

[BlazeFocus]

Originally Posted by Woggy64

lane swerving? Ok, I thought it just might be me, but on the freeway/highway I did notice that mine wanders around in the lane a bit too much for me. I chalked it up to the sport package and the tires. Is there something else that might need to be looked at on this?

The sport package comes with those Michelins that have really wide and straight channel paths as part of the tread design. This type of tread pattern plays havoc with grooved pavement (or vice verse). The problems lies with the straight tread features catching the not so straight pavement grooves.

All these types of tires behave the same. The tradeoff is, they have super performance in wet driving conditions and these particular Michelins (on the Focus) have awesome treadwear life and outstanding fuel economy properties.

So I simply say, get used to it..

[PratoN]

Originally Posted by BlazeFocus

The sport package comes with those Michelins that have really wide and straight channel paths as part of the tread design. This type of tread pattern plays havoc with grooved pavement (or vice verse). The problems lies with the straight tread features catching the not so straight pavement grooves.

All these types of tires behave the same. The tradeoff is, they have super performance in wet driving conditions and these particular Michelins (on the Focus) have awesome treadwear life and outstanding fuel economy properties.

^Truth.

Last winter my highway wandering and weird steering wheel turning at stop lights went away as soon as I put on my winter tires and returned in the spring. Great FE for 18"s and never had any driveability issues in the rain. I have 27k+ miles on my tires and still rollin'...

[gtncpa]

The Michelin PS3's are great on the track ... but they do not have good tread life. I think mine were done before 30K

[Zillon]

Originally Posted by gtncpa

The Michelin PS3's are great on the track ... but they do not have good tread life. I think mine were done before 30K

To me, 30k out of a set of performance tires is pretty damn good.

[BlazeFocus]

Originally Posted by Zillon

To me, 30k out of a set of performance tires is pretty damn good.

I second this.

If the pressure is maintained on these and a regular rotation schedule adhered to, these puppies should be able to achieve 45 to 50k of life.
Now granted, if you drive aggressively, it will be less than that but I think 30k is still a good ball-park figure even under aggressive cornering habits.

Most tires with similar ratings and tread design are rated at 30k + and Michelin is no slouch..

[gtncpa]

Originally Posted by Zillon

To me, 30k out of a set of performance tires is pretty damn good.

I 110% agree ...but I think PS3's are overkill for a Focus.

[Mistofoleez]

I think this car has ruined me. I've driven a couple cars so far and all I can hear is sub-par suspension and road roar.

Any suggestions on who makes a decent car/suv these days?

[BlazeFocus]

Originally Posted by gtncpa

I 110% agree ...but I think PS3's are overkill for a Focus.

Drive a Focus with the standard package and rethink that...even though I would sort of agree on principal in that on a ST package these 18's with these tires would be more noticeably effective - and appreciated.

[gtncpa]

Good point ... I have only driven mine.

[Woggy64]

I'd be happy with 20k out of these. The ContiSportContact 2 SSR's that we had on our Benz were gone by 18k. Of course my driving style had a lot to do with that.